Media cartridge autoloader

ABSTRACT

A media cartridge autoloader is disclosed that includes a main module having a rotation transmission path forming device and one or more media cartridge transport magazines. The rotation transmission path forming device can include a drive shaft unit, a drive shaft unit shifting mechanism, and a magazine drive motor module. A mechanism that rotates a turntable of a media cartridge picker can be used to move and selectively couple the drive shaft unit with one or more of the media cartridge transport magazines. A drive shaft of the drive shaft unit can be driven by a magazine drive motor of the magazine drive motor module, so that the coupled magazine is driven. This magazine drive motor can also release one or more of the media cartridge transport magazines from the engagement with one or more magazine locking mechanisms of the main module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a media cartridge autoloader,and particularly relates to a mechanism that selectively moves eitherone of first or second media cartridge transport magazines in a mediacartridge autoloader serving as a data storage device.

2. Description of the Related Art

A typical media cartridge autoloader includes a media cartridge picker,a mail slot, a read/write media drive, and one or more media cartridgetransport magazines.

The media cartridge picker is configured to transport a media cartridgeamong the mail slot, the media drive, and the media cartridge transportmagazines.

The media cartridge transport magazines each comprises plural mediacartridge containers that store the media cartridges therein.

To store many media cartridges, a plurality of the media cartridgetransport magazines can be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided amedia cartridge autoloader that meets the above-described demand.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided amedia cartridge autoloader comprising a main module, a media drive thatreceives a media cartridge, and first and second tape cartridgetransport magazines that transportably store the media cartridge. Themain module includes (i) a media cartridge picker that transports themedia cartridge between the media drive and the first and second mediacartridge transport magazines, (ii) a magazine drive motor that drivesthe first and second media cartridge transport magazines, (iii) a firstmagazine locking mechanism that includes a first locking member toengage the first media cartridge transport magazine, (iv) a secondmagazine locking mechanism that includes a second locking member toengage the second media cartridge transport magazine, and (v) a rotationtransmission path forming unit that selectively transmits a rotationalforce of the magazine drive motor to one of the first media cartridgetransport magazine, the second media cartridge transport magazine, thefirst magazine locking mechanism, and the second magazine lockingmechanism, in accordance with a command. One of the first and secondmagazine locking members is selectively moved with the rotational forceof the magazine drive motor transmitted by the rotation transmissionpath forming unit so as to disengage the corresponding first or secondmedia cartridge transport magazine. In another embodiment, the mediacartridge autoloader does not include a second media cartridge transportmagazine.

In one embodiment, the single magazine drive motor drives both the firstand second media cartridge transport magazines. This magazine drivemotor also releases the first and second media cartridge transportmagazines from the engagement with the first and second magazine lockingmechanisms. Accordingly, there is no need to separately provide a motorfor the first media cartridge transport magazine, a motor for the secondmedia cartridge transport magazine, and drive sources, such aselectromagnetic plungers, for the engagement releasing operations of thefirst and second magazine locking mechanisms. It is therefore possibleto reduce the production cost of the media cartridge autoloader.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a media cartridge autoloaderwith an upper cover thereof removed according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the media cartridge autoloader ofFIG. 1 with a side cover thereof removed;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing operations of a mediacartridge picker;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a main module;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustrating the main module;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the main module, viewed from a Y1 side;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the media cartridge picker;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the media cartridge pickerwith a pillar and a turntable removed;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the media cartridgepicker;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a turntable liftingmechanism in detail;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the turntable;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration showing a media cartridge transportmechanism;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the main module with the cartridgepicker, a mail slot module, and a motor module removed, viewed from a Y2side;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the main module of FIG. 13, viewed fromthe Y1 side;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a Y2-side part of the main module withthe mail slot module removed, viewed obliquely from an X2 side;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a rotation transmission pathforming device with a drive shaft unit located at a home position;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an X1-side portion of the Y2-sidepart of the main module with the mail slot module removed;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the Y2-side part of the main module,viewed obliquely from an X1 side;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view showing a drive gear and apositioning pin disposed at the X2 side;

FIG. 20 shows a photo sensor for detecting the rotation angle of theturntable;

FIG. 21A is a schematic illustration showing a transmission rotationpath forming device in an initial state;

FIG. 21B is a schematic illustration showing the transmission rotationpath forming device in a state wherein a rotation transmission path toan X2-side magazine is formed;

FIG. 21C is a schematic illustration showing the transmission rotationpath forming device in a state wherein a rotation transmission path toan X1-side magazine is formed;

FIG. 22A is a schematic illustration showing the transmission rotationpath forming device in a state wherein a rotation transmission path to alocking mechanism for the X1-side magazine is formed;

FIG. 22B is a schematic illustration showing the transmission rotationpath forming device in a state wherein a rotation transmission path to adoor locking mechanism is formed;

FIG. 22C is a schematic illustration showing the transmission rotationpath forming device in a state wherein a rotation transmission path to alocking mechanism for the X2-side magazine is formed;

FIG. 23 is a table showing relationships between the rotating angle ofthe turntable and formation of rotation transmission paths;

FIG. 24 shows a rotation transmission path forming device in an initialstate of operations corresponding to a command to release the lock by anX1-side media cartridge transport magazine locking mechanism;

FIG. 25 shows the rotation transmission path forming device in a finalstate of the aforesaid operations of FIG. 25 wherein a rotationtransmission path to the X1-side media cartridge transport magazinelocking mechanism is formed;

FIG. 26 shows the rotation transmission path forming device in aninitial state of operations corresponding to a command to release thelock by a door locking mechanism;

FIG. 27 shows the rotation transmission path forming device in a finalstate of the aforesaid operations of FIG. 26 wherein a rotationtransmission path to the door locking mechanism is formed;

FIG. 28 shows the rotation transmission path forming device in aninitial state of operations corresponding to a command to release thelock by an X2-side media cartridge transport magazine locking mechanism;

FIG. 29 shows the rotation transmission path forming device in a finalstate of the aforesaid operations of FIG. 28 wherein a rotationtransmission path to the X2-side media cartridge transport magazinelocking mechanism is formed;

FIG. 30 is a schematic illustration showing power transmission pathsfrom a drive shaft unit to magazines, a door locking mechanism, andmagazine locking mechanisms;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the X2-side media cartridge transportmagazine with an X2-side lateral plate removed, viewed from the X2 side;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the media cartridge transport magazineof FIG. 31, viewed from the X1 side;

FIG. 33 is an enlarged view illustrating a part of the media cartridgetransport magazine of FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 illustrates an X2-side part of the drive shaft unit opposing amagazine in the initial state;

FIG. 35 illustrates the X2-side part of the drive shaft unit in aprocess of being coupled with the magazine;

FIG. 36 illustrates the X2-side part of the drive shaft unit coupledwith the magazine;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view illustrating a mail slot module;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the mail slot module, viewed from theupper side of the Y1 side;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the mail slot module, viewed from thelower side of the Y1 side;

FIG. 40 illustrates the mail slot module in a state wherein a door lockis released, viewed from the same direction as FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 illustrates an X1-side media cartridge transport magazinelocking mechanism, viewed from a lower side of a media cartridgeautoloader;

FIG. 42 illustrates an X2-side media cartridge transport magazinelocking mechanism, viewed from a lower side of a media cartridgeautoloader;

FIG. 43 shows the magazine locking mechanism of FIG. 41 in a state wherethe lock is released;

FIG. 44 shows the magazine locking mechanism of FIG. 42 in a state wherethe lock is released;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a microcomputer of amotor control circuit;

FIGS. 46 and 47 illustrate emergency operations for releasing the lockby the X1-side media cartridge transport magazine; and

FIGS. 48 and 49 illustrate emergency operations for releasing the lockby the X2-side media cartridge transport magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TEE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

The description of a first embodiment includes the following:

1. Configuration and Operations Overview of Tape Cartridge Autoloader100

2. Configuration of Main Module 110

3. Configuration and Operations of Tape Cartridge Picker 102

4. Configuration of Rotation Transmission Path Forming Device 300

-   -   4-1. Configuration of Drive Shaft Unit 301    -   4-2. Configuration of Drive Shaft Unit Shifting Mechanism 320    -   4-3. Configuration of Magazine Drive Motor Module 330    -   4-4. Arrangement of Swing Pinions 318X1, 318X2, and Rack        Sections 500, 550X1, 550X2    -   4-5. Relations among Rotating Angle of Turntable 140, Moving        Distance of Drive Shaft Unit 301, and Rack Sections 500, 550X1,        550X2

5. Overview of Power Transmission Paths from Drive Shaft Unit 301 toMagazines 103, 104, Door Locking Mechanism 345, and Magazine LockingMechanisms 600X1, 600X2

6. Configuration of Tape Cartridge Transport Magazines 103, 104

7. Operations for Selectively Driving Tape Cartridge Transport Magazines103, 104

8. Configuration of Mail Slot Module 340

9. Door Lock Releasing Operations by Mail Slot Module

10. Tape Cartridge Transport Magazine Locking Mechanism

11. Operations for Releasing Lock of Tape Cartridge Transport Magazine

-   -   11-1. Lock Releasing Operations by Transport Magazine Locking        Mechanism 600X1    -   11-2. Lock Releasing Operations by Transport Magazine Locking        Mechanism 600X2

12. Operations of Microcomputer of Motor Control Circuit 410

13. Emergency Operations for Releasing Lock of Tape Cartridge TransportMagazine

1 [Configuration and Operations Overview of Tape Cartridge Autoloader100]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tape cartridge autoloader100 with an upper cover thereof removed according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. In the embodiments illustrated inthe figures, the media cartridge autoloader is used with one or moretape cartridges, and is therefore referred to as a tape cartridgeautoloader. It is recognized, however, that although the followingdescription and the figures provided herein pertain particularly to anautoloader used for tape cartridges, any other suitable type of mediacartridge can equally be used with the present invention, such as anoptical disk cartridge, as one non-exclusive example. The embodimentsdisclosed herein are not intended to limit the scope of the presentinvention in any manner to use with tape cartridges or any otherparticular type of media. In other words, it is understood that the term“tape” as used herein can equally be substituted for the term “media”.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the tape cartridge autoloader 100with a side cover thereof removed. Throughout the drawings, the widthdirection is indicated by a line X1-X2, the depth direction is indicatedby a line Y1-Y2, and the height direction is indicated by a line Z1-Z2.

The tape cartridge autoloader 100 generally comprises a metal frame 190,a control panel 105 and a mail slot 107 both on a front panel, a mainmodule 110 including a tape cartridge picker 102 at a position opposingthe mail slot 107, a read/write tape drive 101 disposed at the Y1 sideof the main module 110, and tape cartridge transport magazines 103 and104 disposed at the X1 side and the X2 side of the main module 110. Thetape cartridge transport magazines 103 and 104 are inserted toward theY1 side from the front panel side and removably attached on opposingsides of the frame 190. In an alternative embodiment, the tape cartridgetransport magazines 103, 104 can be positioned to have a differentorientation relative to one another and/or to the main module 110. Inone non-exclusive alternative embodiment, for example, although the tapecartridge transport magazines 103, 104 are shown to be generallyparallel to one another in FIG. 1, they can be positioned in asubstantially non-parallel orientation. It is understood that as usedherein, either tape cartridge transport magazine 103, 104 can be thefirst tape cartridge transport magazine or the second tape cartridgetransport magazine. The tape cartridge autoloader 100 can be mounted ina rack by, for example, fixing four corners of the frame 190 to poles ofthe rack.

In certain embodiments, the tape cartridge autoloader 100 is designedsuch that operations of the tape cartridge picker 102 do not coincide,in terms of time, with operations of the tape cartridge transportmagazine 103, 104, operations for releasing door lock of the mail slot107, and operations for releasing lock of the tape cartridge transportmagazines 103, 104.

A tape cartridge 10 is used in the tape cartridge autoloader 100.Referring to FIG. 1, the tape cartridge 10 includes a magnetic tape 11wound on a reel 12 therein such that the magnetic tape 11 is pulled outfrom a rear face of the tape cartridge 10. The tape cartridge 10includes a front face 13, a rear face 14, side faces 15 and 16, and anotch 15 a formed on the side face 15 which a cartridge pin 213 (FIG. 9,described below) engages.

The tape cartridge transport magazines 103 and 104 are each configuredto store plural tape cartridges 10 in an orientation in which the frontfaces 13 oppose the tape cartridge picker 102. Each of the tapecartridge transport magazines 103 and 104 is also configured totransport the tape cartridges 10 along a racetrack path elongated in theY1-Y2 direction, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The tape drive 101 is operable to read and/or write data from or to themagnetic tape 11 pulled out from the loaded tape cartridge 10. The tapedrive 101 includes a tape cartridge ejecting mechanism (not shown).Plural types of tape drives with different heights are available so thatone drive is selected from them and attached to the tape cartridgeautoloader 100. For this operation, the tape cartridge picker 102 isprovided with a turntable lifting mechanism 150 (described below).

Referring to FIG. 3, the tape cartridge picker 102 is configured totransport the tape cartridge 10 onto or off of a turntable 140 foroperations such as loading the tape cartridge 10 inserted through themail slot 107 onto the tape drive 101, retrieving the tape cartridge 10from the tape cartridge transport magazines 103 and 104 to load the tapecartridge 10 onto the tape drive 101, retrieving the tape cartridge 10from the tape drive 101 to return the tape cartridge 10 to the tapecartridge transport magazines 103 or 104, and ejecting the tapecartridge 10 through the mail slot 107. The tape cartridge picker 102 isalso configured to rotate the turntable 140 by a predeterminedrotational increment, such as by approximately 90-degree increments,although the rotational interval can vary depending upon the designrequirements of the autoloader 100. The tape cartridge picker 102 canalso lift/lower the turntable 140. When the turntable 140 is rotated,the orientation of the tape cartridge 10 is changed.

2 [Configuration of Main Module 110] (FIGS. 4-6)

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main module 110. FIG. 5 is anexploded view of the main module 110. FIG. 6 is a perspective view ofthe main module 110, viewed from the Y1 side.

In this embodiment, the main module 110 includes a base 120. The mainmodule 110 also includes the tape cartridge picker 102, a tape cartridgetransport magazine drive motor module 330, a mail slot module 340, and arotation transmission path forming device 300. The tape cartridge picker102 can occupy a large part of the base 120. The base 120 includes anextension 120 a extending at the Y2 side of the tape cartridge picker102. A drive shaft unit 301 and the tape cartridge transport magazinedrive motor module 330 are disposed on the extension 120 a. For example,the mail slot module 340 can be mounted on the upper side of themagazine drive motor module 330. The rotation transmission path formingdevice 300 comprises the drive shaft unit 301 and the magazine drivemotor module 330 as described below in detail.

A motor control circuit 410 shown in FIG. 4 drives, in response to acommand generated when a user operates the control panel 105, a steppingmotor 165 and a magazine drive motor 333 in a manner described belowwhile monitoring signals from a photo sensor 370.

3 [Configuration and Operations of Tape Cartridge Picker 102] (FIGS.7-12)

FIG. 7 illustrates the tape cartridge picker 102 with an upper plate 143of the turntable 140 removed. FIG. 8 illustrates the tape cartridgepicker 102 with a pillar 130 and the turntable 140 removed. FIG. 9 is anexploded perspective view illustrating the tape cartridge picker 102.FIG. 10 illustrates the turntable lifting mechanism 150 in detail.

The tape cartridge picker 102 includes the pillar 130 mounted on thebase 120, the turntable 140 (FIG. 11) configured to support the tapecartridge 10, the turntable lifting mechanism 150 (FIG. 10) configuredto slightly raise and lower the turntable 140 for height positionadjustment, and a turntable rotating mechanism 160 configured to rotatethe turntable 140 by a predetermined rotational increment, such as in90-degree increments, for example. The tape cartridge picker 102 hasports 131X1, 131X2, 131Y1, and 131Y2 on the corresponding four sidesthereof (see FIG. 7).

A rotating ring gear 161, a cylindrical stand 162, a lifting ring gear163, and a sub base 164 are disposed on the base 120. The rotating ringgear 161 is rotatably coupled to the base 120. The cylindrical stand 162is arranged at the inner side of the rotating ring gear 161 and thelifting ring gear 163 so as to be rotated along with the rotating ringgear 161 and be raised independently from the rotating ring gear 161.The lifting ring gear 163 is arranged at the upper side of the rotatingring gear 161 so as to be rotated independently from the rotating ringgear 161. A boss 162 a (FIG. 10) of the cylindrical stand 162 isconfigured to engage a diagonal groove 163 a of the lifting ring gear163. The cylindrical stand 162 is rotated by rotation of the rotatingring gear 161, and raised/lowered by rotation of the lifting ring gear163. The sub base 164 is a semi-circular plate fixed to a positionslightly separated from and at the upper side of the base 120.

Referring to FIG. 11, the turntable 140 includes a base plate 141, afloor plate 142, the upper plate 143, and a clearance 144 between thefloor plate 142 and the upper plate 143 to receive the tape cartridge10. The base plate 141 is screwed onto the cylindrical stand 162 (FIG.10).

Referring to FIG. 10, the lifting mechanism 150 includes a steppingmotor 151, a gear train 152, and the lifting ring gear 163. Both thestepping motor 151 and the gear train 152 are provided on the base plate141.

As shown in FIG. 8, the turntable rotating mechanism 160 includes thestepping motor 165, a reduction gear train 166, and the rotating ringgear 161, all of which are provided on the base 120. A two-stage gear166-3, which is the last stage gear of the reduction gear train 166,comprises a large-diameter gear section 166-3 a and a small-diametergear section 166-3 b.

The lifting mechanism 150 has a function of initializing the turntable140 by raising/lowering the turntable 140 to a home position thereof inthe Z direction. The turntable rotating mechanism 160 has a function ofinitializing the turntable 140 by rotating the turntable 140 to the homeposition in the rotation direction. The home position of the turntable140 is a position where a y-axis (described later) becomes parallel tothe aforesaid Y-axis. The lifting mechanism initialization operation andthe turntable rotating mechanism initialization operation apply a methodof moving an object to an operation end position defined as a referenceposition, and then moving the object back by a predetermined distance.The same method is applied to operations for initializing a tapecartridge transport mechanism 170 (described below).

Referring to FIG. 11 the turntable 140 includes the base plate 141, thefloor plate 142, the upper plate 143, and the clearance 144 between thefloor plate 142 and the upper plate 143 to receive the tape cartridge10. Referring to FIG. 12, coordinates are applied to the turntable 140,wherein the position of a pin 141 a (to be described below) is definedas the origin, a guide groove 142 a (to be described below) is definedas an x-axis, and an axis passing through the origin and beingorthogonal to the x-axis is defined as a y-axis.

The tape cartridge transport mechanism 170 and a stepping motor 210(described later), both shown in FIG. 12, are provided on the base plate141 (FIG. 11).

The tape cartridge transport mechanism 170 moves the tape cartridge 10between a position on the turntable 140, i.e., a position inside theclearance 144, and a position outside the tape cartridge picker 102. Inone embodiment, the movement of the tape cartridge 10 can besubstantially linear. Alternatively, the movement of the tape cartridge10 can be non-linear or can combine both linear and non-linearmovements. The tape cartridge transport mechanism 170 includes a rotaryarm 180 rotatably attached to the pin 141 a formed on the base plate141, the stepping motor 210 configured to reciprocally rotate the rotaryarm 180 between positions Q1 and Q4 within a predetermined angularrange, a reduction gear mechanism 211 configured to transmit therotation of the stepping motor 210 at a reduced rotation rate to therotary arm 180, and a lever 212 with a center part rotatably connectedto a tip end of the rotary arm 180. A cartridge pin 213 is verticallyfixed to an end of the lever 212, while a pin 214 is fixed to the otherend of the lever 212. The pin 214 engages a guide groove 142 a formed ona lower face of the floor plate 142. In one embodiment, the guide groove142 a can be substantially linear. Alternatively, the guide groove 142 acan be curved or can have another suitable configuration.

In one embodiment, the turntable rotating mechanism 160 can rotate theturntable 140 in predetermined rotational increments, such as byapproximately 90-degree increments, for example, in the clockwisedirection or the counterclockwise direction with respect to the homeposition such that the orientation of the tape cartridge 10 is changed.In non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the turntable 140 can berotated greater than or less than 90 degrees in either direction. Thetape cartridge transport mechanism 170 retrieves the tape cartridge 10and transports it onto and off of the turntable 140 (see FIG. 3) whilethe cartridge pin 213 is engaged in the notch 15 a of the tape cartridge10 (FIG. 1).

4 [Configuration of Rotation Transmission Path Forming Device 3003](FIGS. 4-6, FIGS. 13-19)

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the main module 110 with the tapecartridge picker 102, the mail slot module 340, and the magazine drivemotor module 330 removed, viewed from the Y2 side. FIG. 14 is aperspective view of the main module 110 of FIG. 13, viewed from the Y1side. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a Y2-side part of the main module110 with the mail slot module 340 removed.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 13-15, the rotation transmission pathforming device 300 comprises the drive shaft unit 301, the drive shaftunit shifting mechanism 320, and the magazine drive motor module 330.

4-1 [Configuration of Drive Shaft Unit 301]

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 13-17, the drive shaft unit 301 comprises aframe 302, a drive shaft 310, a center gear 312, and drive gears 313X1and 313X2 disposed one on each end of the drive shaft 310. The driveshaft unit 301 is installed on the base 120 and bidirectionally movablealong an axis substantially in the X1-X2 direction.

The frame 302 (FIG. 15) comprises a frame main body 303 (FIG. 14)elongated in the X1-X2 direction, flanges 304X1 and 304X2 formed one ateach end of the frame main body 303, a rack 305 (FIG. 14) at the centerof the frame main body 303, and positioning pins 306X1 and 306X2provided one on each end of the frame main body 303. Each of thepositioning pins 306X1 and 306X2 includes a conical section 306 a (FIG.19). The frame 302 is disposed on the extension 120 a of the base 120and movable in the X1-X2 direction.

The drive shaft 310 is rotatably supported at both ends by the flanges304X1 and 304X2. Gears 316X1 and 316X2 (FIG. 19) are secured to thedrive shaft 310 at the inner side of the flanges 304X1 and 304X2. Thegears 316X1 and 316X2 prevent the drive shaft 310 from moving withrespect to the flanges 304X1 and 304X2 in the X1-X2 direction. The driveshaft 310 has a flat face 311 in its diametrical direction at least atthe center and ends thereof so as to have a D-shaped cross section, onwhich the center gear 312 fits. The drive shaft 310, configured torotate with the center gear 312 and is movable in the X1-X2 directionwith respect to the center gear 312. In one embodiment, as the centergear 312 is fitted in a holder section 120 b formed integrally on thebase 120, the movement of the center gear 312 in the X1-X2 direction isrestricted.

The drive gears 313X1 and 313X2 are attached to the drive shaft 310 atthe outer side of the flanges 304X1 and 304X2, respectively. The drivegears 313X1 and 313X2 are configured to rotate with the drive shaft 310about the axis that is oriented substantially in the X1-X2 direction,and are slidable along the drive shaft 310 in the axial direction of thedrive shaft 310. Washers 315X2 (FIG. 19) can be threaded on the endfaces of the drive shaft 310 to prevent the drive gears 313X1 and 313X2from dropping off. Compression coil springs 314X1 and 314X2 are woundaround the drive shaft 310 between the drive gears 313X1, 313X2 and theflanges 304X1, 304X2, respectively. The drive gear 313X2 compresses thecompression coil spring 314X2 to move in the X1 direction when a forcein the X1 direction is applied to the drive gear 313X2. The drive gear313X1 compresses the compression coil spring 314X1 to move in the X2direction when a force in the X2 direction is applied to the drive gear313X1.

As shown in detail in FIG. 19, there is a distance A between thepositioning pin 306X2 and the drive shaft 310. The positioning pin 306X2extends further outward than the drive gear 313X2 by a distance B. Thedrive gear 313X2 is a spur gear having a tapered face 313 a on the outerend. The drive gears 313X1 and the positioning pin 306X1 also have theconfigurations as described above.

The drive shaft unit 301 is usually located at a home (center) positionshown in FIGS. 4 and 21A. When the drive shaft unit 301 is at the homeposition, the positioning pins 306X1 and 306X2 are located within thewidth of the base 120 in the X1-X2 direction.

Swing arms 317X1 and 317X2 are attached to the drive shaft 310 betweenthe gears 316X1, 316X2 and the flanges 304X1, 304X2, respectively. Swingpinions 318X1 and 318X2 are attached to ends of the swing arms 317X1 and317X2. The swing pinions 318X1 and 318X2 engage, e.g., mesh with, thegears 316X1 and 316X2, respectively, and are rotated by rotation of thedrive shaft 310. The swing pinions 318X1 and 318X2 are pressed againstthe inner side faces of the swing arms 317X1 and 317X2 by biasing forcesof spring members (not shown) attached to shafts of the swing pinions318X1 and 318X2, respectively. With frictional forces generated betweenthe swing pinions 318X1, 318X2, and the swing arms 317X1, 317X2, theswing arms 317X1 and 317X2 rotate in the same direction as the directionin which the drive shaft 310 rotates.

4-2 [Configuration of Drive Shaft Unit Shifting Mechanism 320]

The drive shaft unit shifting mechanism 320 utilizes the stepping motor165 that rotates the turntable 140. The drive shaft unit shiftingmechanism 320 comprises the stepping motor 165 and a gear member 321(see FIGS. 13 and 14).

The gear member 321 has a generally elliptical shape, comprising anouter gear section 322 and an inner gear section 323 along the edge ofan inner opening 324. A center hole of the gear member 321 fits on ashaft portion 120 c of the base 120. The inner gear section 323 engagesthe small-diameter gear section 166-3 b, while the outer gear section322 engages the rack 305 (FIG. 14).

When the stepping motor 165 is driven, the turntable 140 is rotatedthrough the gear train 166. At the same time, the gear member 321 isrotated thought the small-diameter gear section 166-3 b in the clockwisedirection or the counterclockwise direction in accordance with therotational direction of the stepping motor 165, so that the drive shaftunit 301 is moved through the rack 305 in the X2 direction or the X1direction.

Referring to FIG. 20, the photo sensor 370 for detecting the rotatingangle of the turntable 140 is provided. The photo sensor 370 detects therotating angle of the turntable 140 by detecting slits 371, which can beformed in a predetermined arrangement on a rib around a lower face ofthe turntable 140. In one embodiment, for example, the rotating angle ofthe turntable 140 and the moving distance of the drive shaft unit 301have the following relation: When the rotating angle of the turntable140 is approximately 15 degrees, the moving distance of the drive shaftunit 301 is 2.5 mm; when the rotating angle of the turntable 140 isapproximately 30 degrees, the moving distance of the drive shaft unit301 is 5 mm; and when the rotating angle of the turntable 140 isapproximately 90 degrees, the moving distance of the drive shaft unit301 is 15 mm. However, it is recognized that other equally suitablearrangements can be utilized with the present invention depending uponthe design requirements of the autoloader 100. As the drive shaft unit301 is interlocked with the turntable 140, the moving distance of thedrive shaft unit 301 is found by detecting the rotating angle of theturntable 140. Therefore, there is no need to provide the drive shaftunit 301 with a mechanism for detecting the moving distance.

4-3 [Configuration of Magazine Drive Motor Module 330]

Referring to FIG. 5, the magazine drive motor 333 is a stepping motorand secured to a flange section 332 of a frame 331 of the magazine drivemotor module 330. A reduction gear 334 is held in the flange section332. The reduction gear 334 engages a gear 335 secured to a spindle ofthe magazine drive motor 333.

The magazine drive motor module 330 is secured to the Y1-side end of thebase 120 such that the reduction gear 334 engages the gear 312 as shownin FIG. 15.

When the magazine drive motor 333 is driven, the gear 312 is rotatedthrough the reduction gear 334. Accordingly, the drive shaft 310 and thedrive gears 313X1 and 313X2 are rotated.

4-4 [Arrangement of Swing Pinions 318X1, 318X2, and Rack Sections 500,550X1, 550X2] (FIGS. 15, 16, 21A)

With reference to FIGS. 15, 16, and 21A, rack sections 500, 550X1, and550X2 are disposed on the extension 120 a of the base 120. A line CL(FIG. 15) extending in Y1-Y2 direction is the center line of theextension 120 a (and the base 120) in the X1-X2 direction. The racksection 550X1 and the rack section 550X2 are disposed symmetrically withrespect to the center line of the base 120, each of which is spaced at adistance L1 from the center line CL. In this embodiment, the racksection 500 is disposed adjacent to the rack section 550X1 at the sideof the center line CL. The distance between the center line CL and therack section 500 is L2 (<L1).

Grooves 600, 601, 602, extending in the Y1-Y2 direction, and banks 605,606, 606, 607 are formed on the extension 120 a. The bank 605 and thebank 606 (X1 side) face each other across the grooves 600 and 601, whilethe bank 606 (X2 side) and the bank 607 face each other across thegroove 602. The rack section 500 is disposed inside the groove 600, andthe rack section 550X1 is disposed inside the groove 601. Also, the racksection 550X2 is disposed inside the groove 602.

While the drive shaft unit 301 is located in the home position, theswing pinions 318X1 and 318X2 are located symmetrically with respect tothe center line CL of the base 120 and at the outer sides of the racksections 550X1 and 550X2, respectively. In this embodiment, the distancefrom the center line CL to each of the swing pinions 318X1 and 318X2 isL3 (>L1) (FIG. 21A).

4-5 [Relation among Rotating Angle of Turntable 140, Moving Distance ofDrive Shaft Unit 301, and Rack Sections 500, 550X1, 550X2]

FIGS. 21A-21C and 22A-22C schematically show the positions of the drivegears 313X1, 313X2, and the swing pinions 318X1, 31BX2, with respect tomagazine gears 391Y2-1, 391Y2, and the rack sections 550, 550X1, 550X2when the drive shaft unit 301 is moved by the rotation of the turntable140. FIG. 23 is a table showing rotating angles of the turntable 140 andcounterparts with which the drive gears 313X1, 313X2 and the swingpinions 31BX1, 318X2 mesh in accordance with the rotation.

First, one embodiment of operations that occur when the turntable 140 isrotated from the home position in the counterclockwise direction aredescribed. It is understood that the angles of rotation of the turntablein either direction that effectuate the movements and functions providedbelow can vary depending upon the design requirements of the autoloader,and that the following example is representative and is provided forease of understanding.

For example, when the turntable 140 is rotated approximately 15 degrees,the swing pinion 31BX1 is aligned with the rack section 550X1 as shownin FIGS. 22A and 24. Then the swing arm 317X1 is rotated, so that theswing pinion 318X1 engages the rack section 550X1 as shown in FIG. 25.Thus, a rotation transmission path to a transport magazine lockingmechanism 600X1 (FIGS. 30, 41) is formed as described below in greaterdetail.

When the turntable 140 is rotated approximately 30 degrees from the homeposition, the swing pinion 318X1 is aligned with the rack section 500 asshown in FIG. 22B. Then the swing arm 317X1 is rotated, so that theswing pinion 31BX1 engages the rack section 500 as shown in FIG. 27.Thus, a rotation transmission path to a door locking mechanism 345 isformed as described below in greater detail.

When the turntable 140 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the homeposition, the drive gear 313X2 engages the magazine gear 391Y2 as shownin FIGS. 21B and 36. Thus, a rotation transmission path to the tapecartridge transport magazine 104 is formed as described below in greaterdetail.

Next, operations that occur when the turntable 140 is rotated from thehome position in the clockwise direction are described.

When the turntable 140 is rotated approximately 15 degrees, the swingpinion 318X2 is aligned with the rack section 550X2 as shown in FIGS.22C and 2B. Then the swing arm 317X2 is rotated, so that the swingpinion 318X2 engages the rack section 550X2 as shown in FIG. 29. Thus, arotation transmission path to a transport magazine locking mechanism600X2 (FIG. 30, 42) is formed as described below.

When the turntable 140 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the homeposition, the drive gear 313X1 engages the magazine gear 39lY2-1 asshown in FIGS. 21C. Thus, a rotation transmission path to the tapecartridge transport magazine 103 is formed as described below in greaterdetail.

5 [Overview of Power Transmission Paths from Drive Shaft Unit 301, toTape Cartridge Transport Magazines 103, 104, Door Locking Mechanism 345,and Magazine Locking Mechanisms 600X1, 600X2] (FIG. 30)

FIG. 30 schematically illustrates power transmission paths from thedrive shaft unit 301, to the tape cartridge transport magazines 103,104, the door locking mechanism 345, and the magazine locking mechanisms600X1, 600X2.

A power transmission path to the tape cartridge transport magazine 103is formed when the drive gear 313X1 engages the magazine gear 391Y2-1.

A power transmission path to the tape cartridge transport magazine 104is formed when the drive gear 313X2 engages the magazine gear 391Y2.

A power transmission path to the door locking mechanism 345 is formedwhen the swing pinion 318X1 engages the rack section 500.

A power transmission path to the magazine locking mechanism 600X1 isformed when the swing pinion 318X1 engages the rack section 550X1.

A power transmission path to the magazine locking mechanism 600X2 isformed when the swing pinion 318X2 engages the rack section 550X2.

Operations for forming these power transmission paths are describedbelow in detail.

6 [Configuration of Tape Cartridge Transport Magazines 103, 104] (FIGS.31-33)

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge transport magazine104 with an X2-side lateral plate removed, viewed from the X2 side. FIG.32 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge transport magazine 104 ofFIG. 31, viewed from the X1 side. FIG. 33 is an enlarged viewillustrating a part of the tape cartridge transport magazine 104 of FIG.32.

Referring to FIG. 31, the tape cartridge transport magazine 104 is aquadrangular prism elongated in the Y1-Y2 direction and comprisesdecorative panels 381Y1 and 381Y2 at opposing longitudinal ends. In oneembodiment, the tape cartridge transport magazine 104 can be installableat both the X1 side and the X2 side of the main module 110 by reversingthe longitudinal orientation without turning it upside down.Alternatively, the tape cartridge transport magazine 104 can bepositioned and/or oriented differently relatively to the main module110.

As shown in FIG. 31, a frame 385Y2, a pulley 386Y2, a large-diametergear member 388Y2 that engages a gear section 387Y2 provided at the endof the pulley 386Y2, and a small-diameter gear member 389Y2 that engagesthe large-diameter gear member 38SY2 are provided at the Y2 side. Thesmall-diameter gear member 389Y2 is secured to an end of a rotary shaft390Y2.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the magazine gear 391Y2 having a smalldiameter is secured to the opposite end of the rotary shaft 390Y2. Anopening 392Y2 elongated in the Z direction is formed in the frame 385Y2.The magazine gear 391Y2 is exposed from a Z1-side part of the opening392Y2. The opening 392Y2 includes an opening portion 393Y2 having a sizethat allows the drive gear 313X2 to be fitted therein. A positioninghole 394Y2 is formed at the Z2 side of the opening portion 393Y2 in theframe 3B5Y2.

Referring back to FIG. 31, a frame 38SY1, a pulley 386Y1, a gear section387Y1, a large-diameter gear member 388Y1, a small-diameter gear member389Y1, and the magazine gear (not shown in FIG. 31) are provided at theY1 side similar to the Y2 side.

Plural tape cartridge containers 401 (FIG. 2) are disposed at evenintervals on a belt 400 extending around the pulleys 386Y1 and 386Y2.

An opening 402 (FIG. 32) having a size corresponding to the tapecartridge 10 is formed in an X2-side lateral plate 403 of the tapecartridge transport magazine 104 so as to oppose the tape cartridgepicker 102 when the tape cartridge transport magazine 104 is mounted.Also, openings (not shown) for inserting tape cartridges 10 are formedin the lateral plate 403 of the tape cartridge transport magazine 104 soas to oppose the corresponding tape cartridge containers 401.

When the tape cartridge transport magazines 103 and 104 are attached atthe X1 side and the X2 side as shown in FIG. 1, the drive shaft unit 301can be located at the home position shown in FIG. 21A. At the X2 side,as shown in FIG. 34, the magazine gear 391Y2, the opening 392Y2, and thepositioning hole 394Y2 oppose the drive gear 313X2 (313X1) and thepositioning pin 306X2 (306X1). The opening 402 opposes the tapecartridge picker 102.

7 [Operations for Selectively Driving Tape Cartridge Transport Magazines103, 104] (FIGS. 34-36)

FIG. 21B shows a state to drive the tape cartridge transport magazine104. FIG. 21C shows a state to drive the tape cartridge transportmagazine 103.

When a command to drive the tape cartridge transport magazine 104 isentered, the stepping motor 165 is driven in the normal direction by themotor control circuit 410. Then, the magazine drive motor 333 is driven(see FIG. 4).

When the stepping motor 165 is driven, the turntable 140 is rotated inthe counterclockwise direction through the reduction gear train 166. Atthe same time, the drive shaft unit 301 is driven in the X2 directionthrough the gear member 321 (FIG. 13). The stepping motor 165 is stoppedat the time when the photo sensor 370 detects that the turntable 140 isrotated approximately 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction. Thedrive shaft unit 301 is moved in the X2 direction, so that the drivegear 313X2 is inserted into the opening portion 393Y2 to engage themagazine gear 391Y2. Thus, the rotation transmission path forming device300 forms the rotation transmission path from the magazine drive motor333 to the tape cartridge transport magazine 104.

At the end of the movement of the drive shaft unit 301 in the X2direction, the positioning pin 306X2 fits into the positioning hole394Y2 so as to set the center distance between the magazine gear 391Y2and the drive gear 313X2 to the appropriate value. E, as shown in FIG.35, for example. When the drive shaft unit 301 is further moved in theX2 direction to be inserted into the opening portion 393Y2 from thelateral side thereof, tooth sections of the drive gear 313X2 fit intotooth groove sections of the magazine gear 391Y2 as shown in FIG. 36.Thus, the drive gear 313X2 correctly engages the magazine gear 391Y2.The tapered face 313 a helps the drive gear 313X2 to smoothly engage themagazine gear 391Y2.

After the drive gear 313X2 engages the magazine gear 391Y2, the gear 312is rotated by the magazine drive motor 333 through the reduction gear334. Accordingly, the drive shaft 310 and the drive gears 313X1, 313X2are rotated. The rotation of the drive gear 313X2 is transmitted to themagazine gear 391Y2, the large-diameter gear member 388Y2, the gearsection 387Y2, and to the pulley 386Y2. Thus, the belt 400 is driven soas to move the tape cartridge containers 401 together with the tapecartridges 10 stored in the tape cartridge containers 401.

When a command to stop driving the tape cartridge transport magazine 104is entered, the magazine drive motor 333 is stopped. Then, the steppingmotor 165 is driven in the reverse direction to rotate the turntable 140back to the home position, Also, the drive shaft unit 301 is moved inthe X1 direction back to the home position shown in FIG. 21A.

If a command to drive the tape cartridge transport magazine 103 isentered when the drive shaft unit 301 is located at the home positionshown in FIG. 21A, the stepping motor 165 is driven in the reversedirection by the motor control circuit 410 (FIG. 4). Then, the magazinedrive motor 333 is driven. Thus, the drive gear 313X1 correctly engagesthe magazine gear 391Y2-1 of the tape cartridge transport magazine 103(see FIG. 21C) in substantially the same manner as described above.Accordingly, the belt 400 is driven by the magazine drive motor 333 soas to move the tape cartridge containers 401.

When a command to stop driving the tape cartridge transport magazine 103is entered, the magazine drive motor 333 is stopped. Then, the steppingmotor 165 is driven in the reverse direction to rotate the turntable 140back to the home position. Also, the drive shaft unit 301 is moved inthe X2 direction back to the home position shown in FIG. 21A.

8 [Configuration of Mail Slot Module 340] (FIGS. 37-39)

With reference to FIGS. 37-39, the mail slot module 340 comprises aframe 341 having the mail slot 107, a door 342 that closes the mail slot107, and the door locking mechanism 345 that locks the door 342 in alocked position wherein the mail slot 107 is closed by the door 342.

In one embodiment, the door 342, which pivots about the Z1 side thereof,is biased in the closed direction by a spring member 343 and configuredto be pushed open by the tape cartridge 10 being inserted. The door 342includes an extending portion 342 a at the center, which extends in theZ2 direction. While the door 342 is closed, the extending portion 342 ais fitted in a groove 341 a formed in the frame 341.

The door locking mechanism 345 comprises a door locking member 346 thatis slidably supported on a lower face of the frame 341, and a springmember 348 for biasing the door locking member 346 in the X2 direction.The door locking member 346 includes a rack section 346 a at the X1 sideand a locking section 346 b at the X2 side. The locking section 346 bincludes a slant face 346 c at the Y1 side.

Referring to FIGS. 15-17, a cylindrical pinion member 374 includespinion sections 374 a and 374 b at the upper side and the lower side,respectively. The lower end of the pinion gear fits with respect to aprojection 120 d (FIGS. 13 and 17), while the lower end fits withrespects to a projection 341 c (FIG. 39) formed on the lower face of theframe 341. Thus, the pinion member 374 extends through the magazinedrive motor module 330 and is vertically rotatable. The rack section 346a and the pinion section 374 a engage each other.

As shown in FIG. 17, the rack section 500 is formed at the Y2 end of arack member 501. The rack member 501 includes a rack section 502 at theY1 end thereof. The rack section 502 and the pinion section 374 b engageeach other.

With reference to FIG. 30, the rack member 501 is connected to thepinion member 374 to allow power transmission therebetween, and thepinion member 374 is connected to the door locking member 346 to allowpower transmission therebetween.

In a state shown in FIGS. 6, 38 and 39, the door locking member 346 isbiased in the X2 direction by a biasing force of the spring member 348,and the locking section 346 b extending from the X1 side into the groove341 a locks a rear face of the extending portion 342 a, thereby lockingthe door 342 in the locked position.

9 [Door Lock Releasing Operations by Mail Slot Module 340] (FIGS. 26,27, 40)

When a command to release the door lock is entered, the motor controlcircuit 410 (FIG. 4) rotates the stepping motor 165 in a direction thatmoves the drive shaft unit 301 in the X2 direction and rotates theturntable 140 in the counterclockwise direction. In one embodiment, thestepping motor 165 is stopped at the time when the photo sensor 370detects that the turntable 140 is rotated approximately 30 degrees inthe counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 22B. In this state, thedrive shaft unit 301 is located at the position shown in FIG. 26 suchthat the swing pinion 318X1 is substantially aligned with the racksection 500.

After that, the magazine drive motor 333 is driven to cause the driveshaft 310 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction (viewed from theX1 side). The rotation of the drive shaft 310 causes the swing pinion31BX1 to rotate in the clockwise direction, and the swing arms 317X1 and317X2 are rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Thus the swingpinion 318X1 engages the rack section 500 as shown in FIG. 27, so thatthe rotation transmission path forming device 300 forms the rotationtransmission path from the magazine drive motor 333 to the door lockingmechanism 345.

The rotation of the swing pinion 318X1 causes the rack member 501 tomove in the Y2 direction as shown in FIG. 40, so that the door lockingmember 346 is moved in the X1 direction by the pinion member 374. Thus,the door 342 is released from the locked state.

The door 342 is pushed open by the tape cartridge 10 when the tapecartridge 10 is inserted into the mail slot 107 (see FIG. 1). Thus, apart of the inserted tape cartridge 10 reaches the tape cartridge picker102.

When the insertion of the tape cartridge 10 into the mail slot 107 isdetected, the motor control circuit 410 rotates the magazine drive motor333 in the reverse direction and subsequently rotates the stepping motor165 in the reverse direction.

The reverse rotation of the magazine drive motor 333 causes the swingarms 317X1 and 317X2 to rotate in the clockwise direction, so that theswing pinion 31BX1 is moved away from the rack section 500. Then thedoor locking member 346 is moved back to its original position in the X2direction by the biasing force of the spring member 348, and the rackmember 501 is moved back to its original position in the Y2 direction.

When the tape cartridge 10 is moved onto the tape cartridge picker 102,the door 342 is closed by the spring member 343. In the process ofclosing the door 342, the extending portion 342 a hits the slant face346 c to push the locking section in the X1 direction for a moment. Whenthe door 342 is closed, the locking section 346 b projects in the groove341 a to lock the door 342 closed.

The reverse rotation of the stepping motor 165 causes the turntable 140to rotate back to the home position, and causes the drive shaft unit 301to move in the X1 direction back to the home position shown in FIGS.21A, 15, and 16.

The above-mentioned counterclockwise rotation of the swing arm 317X2causes the swing pinion 318X2 to contact a flat face 608 (FIG. 27) suchthat the swing pinion 318X2 is slidably rotated on the flat face 608.Therefore, the swing pinion 318X2 does not interrupt the lock releasingoperations.

10 [Tape Cartridge Transport Magazine Locking Mechanism] (FIGS. 41, 42)

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 41 and 42, the transportmagazine locking mechanisms 600X1 and 600X2 are disposed on the lowerface of the extension 120 a of the base 120 of the main module 110.

Referring to FIG. 41, the transport magazine locking mechanism 600X1 isdisposed on the X1 side of the main module 110, and includes an L-shapedlocking member 601X1, a spring member 603X1, and a rack member 551X1.

The locking member 601X1 includes arms 601X1 a and 601X1 b, and isrotatably supported by a pin 602X1. The spring member 603X1 biases thelocking member 601X1 in a direction such that the arm 601X1 a projectsover the base 120 in the X1 direction. The rack member 551X1 includesthe aforesaid rack section 550X2 on the Y2 end side thereof and a hooksection 552X1 on the Y1 end side thereof, and is supported by the base120 to be slidable in the Y1-Y2 direction. The hook section 552X1engages the arm 601X1 b.

Referring to FIG. 42, the transport magazine locking mechanism 600X2having a substantially similar configuration as the transport magazinelocking mechanism 600X1 is disposed on the Y1 side of the main module110.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, magazine pushing mechanisms610X1 and 610X2 are provided at the X1 side and the X2 side,respectively, at the Y1 end of the tape cartridge autoloader 100. Themagazine pushing mechanisms 610X1 and 610X2 are configured to push outthe tape cartridge transport magazines 103 and 104 in the Y2 direction.

In this embodiment, the tape cartridge transport magazine 103 isinserted in the Y1 direction from the Y2 side of the tape cartridgeautoloader 100 through the X1 side of the control panel 105, and lockedby transport magazine locking mechanism 600X1 when the arm 601X1 aengages a recess 405X1 as shown in FIG. 41.

The tape cartridge transport magazine 104 is inserted in the Y1direction from the Y2 side of the tape cartridge autoloader 100 throughthe X2 side of the control panel 105, and locked by transport magazinelocking mechanism 600X2 when an arm 601X2 a engages a recess 405X2 asshown in FIG. 42.

11 [Operations for Releasing Lock of Tape Cartridge Transport Magazine]

11-1 (Operations for Releasing Lock of Transport Magazine LockingMechanism 600X1] (FIGS. 28, 29, 43)

When a command to release the lock by the transport magazine lockingmechanism 600X1 is entered, the motor control circuit 410 (FIG. 4)rotates the stepping motor 165 in the normal direction. Thus, the driveshaft unit 301 is moved in the X2 direction, and the turntable 140 isrotated in the counterclockwise direction. In one embodiment, thestepping motor 165 is stopped at the time when the photo sensor 370detects that the turntable 140 is rotated by approximately 15 degrees inthe counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 22A. In this state, thedrive shaft unit 301 is located at the position shown in FIG. 24 suchthat the swing pinion 318X1 faces the rack section 550X1.

After that, the magazine drive motor 333 causes the drive shaft 310 torotate in the clockwise direction (viewed from the X1 side). Therotation of the drive shaft 310 causes the swing pinion 318X1 to rotatein the counterclockwise direction, and the swing arms 317X1 and 317X2are rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Thus, the swing pinion318X1 engages the rack section 550X1 as shown in FIG. 25, so that therotation transmission path forming device 300 forms the rotationtransmission path from the magazine drive motor 333 to the transportmagazine locking mechanism 600X1.

The rotation of the swing pinion 318X1 causes the rack member 551X1 tomove in the Y2 direction. With this movement, the locking member 601X1is rotated to bring the arm 601X1 a out of the recess 405X1, therebyreleasing the tape cartridge transport magazine 103 from the lockedstate. The tape cartridge transport magazine 103 is then pushed a smalldistance in the Y2 direction by the pushing mechanism 610X1.

Then, the motor control circuit 410 can rotate the magazine drive motor333 in the reverse direction, and can subsequently rotate the steppingmotor 165 in the reverse direction.

The reverse rotation of the magazine drive motor 333 causes the swingarms 317X1 and 317X2 to rotate in the clockwise direction, so that theswing pinion 318X1 is moved away from the rack section 550X1. Then thetransport magazine locking mechanism 600X1 is rotated back to theoriginal locking position by a biasing force of the spring member 603X1.

The reverse rotation of the stepping motor 165 causes the turntable 140to rotate back to the home position, and causes the drive shaft unit 301to move in the X1 direction back to the home position shown in FIGS.21A, 15, and 16.

The above-mentioned counterclockwise rotation of the swing arm 317X2causes the swing pinion 318X2 to contact the bank 607 (FIG. 25) suchthat the swing pinion 31BX2 is slidably rotated on the bank 607.Therefore, the swing pinion 318X2 does not interrupt the lock releasingoperations.

11-2 [Lock Releasing Operations by Transport Magazine Locking Mechanism600X2] (FIGS. 28, 29, 44)

When a command to release the lock by the transport magazine lockingmechanism 600X2 disposed at the X2 side is entered, the motor controlcircuit 410 (FIG. 4) rotates the stepping motor 165 in the reversedirection. Thus, the drive shaft unit 301 is moved in the X1 direction,and the turntable 140 is rotated in the clockwise direction The steppingmotor 165 is stopped at the time when the photo sensor 370 detects thatthe turntable 140 is rotated by approximately 15 degrees in theclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 22C. In this state, the drive shaftunit 301 is located at the position shown in FIG. 28 such that the swingpinion 318X2 faces the rack section 550X2.

After that, the magazine drive motor 333 causes the drive shaft 310 torotate in the counterclockwise direction (viewed from the X1 side). Therotation of the drive shaft 310 causes the swing pinion 31X2 to rotatein the clockwise direction, and the swing arms 317X1 and 317X2 arerotated in the counterclockwise direction. Thus the swing pinion 318X2engages the rack section 550X2 as shown in FIG. 29, so that the rotationtransmission path forming device 300 forms the rotation transmissionpath from the magazine drive motor 333 to the transport magazine lockingmechanism 600X2.

The rotation of the swing pinion 31BX2 causes a rack member 551X2 tomove in the Y2 direction. With this movement, a locking member 601X2 isrotated to bring the arm 601X2 a out of the recess 405X2, therebyreleasing the tape cartridge transport magazine 104 from the lockedstate. The tape cartridge transport magazine 104 is then pushed a smalldistance in the Y2 direction by the pushing mechanism 610X2.

Then, the motor control circuit 410 can rotate the magazine drive motor333 in the reverse direction, and can subsequently rotate the steppingmotor 165 in the normal direction.

The reverse rotation of the magazine drive motor 333 causes the swingarms 317X1 and 317X2 to rotate in the clockwise direction, so that theswing pinion 318X2 is moved away from the rack section 550X2. Then thetransport magazine locking mechanism 600X2 is rotated back to theoriginal locking position by a biasing force of a spring member 603X2.

The normal rotation of the stepping motor 165 causes the turntable 140to rotate back to the home position, and causes the drive shaft unit 301to move in the X2 direction back to the home position shown in FIGS.21A, 15, and 16.

The above-mentioned counterclockwise rotation of the swing arm 317X1causes the swing pinion 318X1 to contact the bank 605 (FIG. 29) suchthat the swing pinion 318X1 is slidably rotated on the bank 605.Therefore, the swing pinion 318X1 does not interrupt the lock releasingoperations.

12 [Operations of Microcomputer of Motor Control Circuit 410] (FIG. 45)

The microcomputer of the motor control circuit 410 operates asillustrated in FIG. 45.

First, an entered command (S1) is identified. Then, the stepping motor165 is driven in accordance with the entered command while signals fromthe photo sensor 370 are monitored (S2). Subsequently, the magazinedrive motor 333 is driven in accordance with the entered command (S3).

After that, the magazine drive motor 333 is rotated so as to cut acorresponding rotation transmission path (S4). In the last step, thestepping motor 165 is driven to return the turntable 140 and the driveshaft unit 301 to their home positions (S5).

13 [Emergency Operations for Releasing Lock of Tape Cartridge TransportMagazine] (FIGS. 46-49)

Referring to FIG. 1, there is a first gap 700X1 between the main module110 and the X1-side tape cartridge transport magazine 103 in the tapecartridge autoloader 100. Similarly, there is a second gap 700X2 betweenthe main module 110 and the X2-side tape cartridge transport magazine104. The gaps 700X1 and 700X2 continue to extend through the front panelof the tape cartridge autoloader 100.

With reference to FIG. 46, the arm 601X1 a of the locking member 601X1extends across the gap 700X1. Similarly, with reference to FIG. 48, thearm 601X2 a of the locking member 601X2 extends across the gap 700X2.

There might be a case where the transport magazine locking mechanism600X1 does not release the tape cartridge transport magazine 103 fromthe locked state although a command to do so is entered. In such a case,if there is an urgent need to remove the tape cartridge transportmagazine 103, an operator can manually insert a thin plate member 710,which is sufficiently rigid and can be about the size of a businesscard, from the front panel side of the tape cartridge autoloader 100into the gap 700X1 to move the plate member 710 in the Y1 directionwhile holding the Z2 side of the plate member 710 (FIG. 46).

Thus, with reference to FIG. 47, the arm 601X1 a of the locking member601X1 is pushed by the inserted plate member 710, and rotated in the X2direction, i.e., toward the inner side of the main module 110. As aresult, the transport magazine locking mechanism 600X1 releases the tapecartridge transport magazine 103 from the locked state. The tapecartridge transport magazine 103 is then pushed slightly in the Y2direction by the pushing mechanism 610X1.

There might also be a case where the transport magazine lockingmechanism 600X2 does not release the tape cartridge transport magazine104 from the locked state although a command to do so is entered. Insuch a case, if there is an urgent need to remove the tape cartridgetransport magazine 104, an operator can manually insert the plate member710 from the front panel side of the tape cartridge autoloader 100 intothe gap 700X2 to move the plate member 710 in the Y1 direction whileholding the Z2 side of the plate member 710 (FIG. 48).

Thus, with reference to FIG. 49, the arm 601X2 a of the locking member601X2 is pushed by the inserted plate member 710, and rotated in the X1direction, i.e., toward the inner side of the main module 110. As aresult, the transport magazine locking mechanism 600X2 releases the tapecartridge transport magazine 104 from the locked state.

The tape cartridge transport magazine 104 is then pushed slightly in theY2 direction by the pushing mechanism 610X2.

The tape cartridge transport magazines 103 and 104 can be released fromthe locked states and removed in the above-described manner even if thetape cartridge autoloader 100 is powered off.

The present application is based on Japanese Priority Application No.2005-246541 filed on Aug. 26, 2005, with the Japanese Patent Office, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

While the particular autoloader 100 as herein shown and disclosed indetail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing theadvantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it ismerely illustrative of various embodiments of the invention. Nolimitations are intended to the details of construction or design hereinshown other than as described in the appended claims.

1. A media cartridge autoloader for use with a media cartridge,comprising: a media drive that receives the media cartridge; first andsecond media cartridge transport magazines positioned near the mediadrive, each media cartridge transport magazine being configured totransportably store the media cartridge; and a main module including (i)a media cartridge picker that transports the media cartridge to and fromthe media drive and the first and second media cartridge transportmagazines, (ii) a magazine drive motor that drives the first and secondmedia cartridge transport magazines, (iii) a first magazine lockingmechanism that includes a first locking member to engage the first mediacartridge transport magazine, (iv) a second magazine locking mechanismthat includes a second locking member to engage the second mediacartridge transport magazine, and (v) a rotation transmission pathforming unit that selectively transmits a rotational force of themagazine drive motor to one of the first media cartridge transportmagazine, the second media cartridge transport magazine, the firstmagazine locking mechanism, and the second magazine locking mechanism,in accordance with a command; wherein one of the first and secondmagazine locking members is selectively moved with the rotational forceof the magazine drive motor transmitted by the rotation transmissionpath forming unit so as to disengage the corresponding first or secondmedia cartridge transport magazine.
 2. The media cartridge autoloader asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the first magazine locking mechanism furtherincludes a first magazine rack member through whose movement the firstmagazine locking member is moved so as to disengage the first mediacartridge transport magazine; the second magazine locking mechanismfurther includes a second magazine rack member through whose movementthe second magazine locking member is moved so as to disengage thesecond media cartridge transport magazine; the rotation transmissionpath forming unit includes (i) a drive shaft unit that is movable in alateral direction, and includes a drive shaft, first and second drivegears provided first and second ends of the drive shaft, a swing armsupported by the drive shaft, and a swing pinion supported by the swingarm and configured to engage a gear attached to the drive shaft, and(ii) a drive shaft unit shifter that moves the drive shaft unit in thelateral direction; and the drive shaft unit shifter is configured tomove the drive shaft unit such that the first drive gear provided on thefirst end of the drive shaft engages a gear provided on the first mediacartridge transport magazine at the time of operating the first mediacartridge transport magazine, to move the drive shaft unit such that thesecond drive gear provided on the second end the drive shaft engages agear provided on the second media cartridge transport magazine at thetime of operating the second media cartridge transport magazine, to movethe drive shaft unit such that the swing pinion faces the first magazinerack member, rotate the swing arm with rotation of the magazine drivemotor such that the swing pinion engages a first rack section formed onthe first magazine rack member, and move the first magazine lockingmember through the movement of the first magazine rack member so as todisengage the first media cartridge transport magazine, at the time ofoperating the first magazine locking mechanism, and to move the driveshaft unit such that the swing pinion faces the second magazine rackmember, rotate the swing arm with rotation of the magazine drive motorsuch that the swing pinion engages a second rack section formed on thesecond magazine rack member, and move the second magazine locking memberthrough the movement of the second magazine rack member so as todisengage the second media cartridge transport magazine, at the time ofoperating the second magazine locking mechanism.
 3. The media cartridgeautoloader as claimed in claim 2, wherein the media cartridge pickerincludes a turntable that supports the media cartridge, and a turntablemotor that rotates the turntable so as to change the orientation of themedia cartridge; and the drive shaft unit shifter is driven with adriving force of the turntable motor.
 4. The media cartridge autoloaderas claimed in claim 2, wherein the media cartridge picker includes aturntable that supports the media cartridge, a turntable motor thatrotates the turntable so as to change the orientation of the mediacartridge, and a sensor that detects a rotating angle of the turntablewith respect to a home position of the turntable; and the drive shaftunit shifter is driven with a driving force of the turntable motor, anda timing to stop operations of the drive shaft unit shifter isdetermined in accordance with a detection by the sensor.
 5. The mediacartridge autoloader as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first magazinelocking mechanism further includes a first spring member to move backthe first magazine rack member to an original position thereof; thesecond magazine locking mechanism further includes a second springmember to move back the second magazine rack member to an originalposition thereof; and the first or second spring member moves back thecorresponding first or second magazine rack member to the correspondingoriginal position when the swing pinion is separated from the first orsecond rack section of the first or second rack member.
 6. The mediacartridge autoloader as claimed in claim 2, wherein the swing armincludes a first swing arm disposed at the first side of the driveshaft, and a second swing arm disposed at the second side of the driveshaft; the swing pinion includes a first swing pinion supported by thefirst swing arm, and a second swing pinion supported by the second swingarm; and the drive shaft unit shifter is configured to move the driveshaft unit such that the first swing pinion engages the first racksection of the first magazine rack member, and to move the drive shaftunit such that the second swing pinion engages the second rack sectionof the second magazine rack member.
 7. The media cartridge autoloader asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the main module further includes a base; andthe first and second magazine locking mechanisms are disposed on a lowerface of the base.
 8. The media cartridge autoloader as claimed in claim2, wherein the main module and the first media cartridge transportmagazine are arranged to have a first gap therebetween, across which thefirst magazine locking member extends; the main module and the secondmedia cartridge transport magazine are arranged to have a second gaptherebetween, across which the second magazine locking member extends;the first magazine locking member disengages the first media cartridgetransport magazine when a plate member is inserted into the first gap topush and move the first magazine locking member; and the second magazinelocking member disengages the second media cartridge transport magazinewhen the plate member is inserted into the second gap to push and movethe second magazine locking member.
 9. A main module for a mediacartridge autoloader, the media cartridge autoloader including a mediadrive that receives a media cartridge, a first media cartridge transportmagazine that releasably engages the main module, the first mediatransport magazine including a media cartridge container, the firstmedia cartridge transport magazine movably storing the media cartridgein the media cartridge container, the main module comprising: a drivemotor that generates a rotational force; a first magazine lockingmechanism that selectively inhibits disengagement of the first mediacartridge transport magazine from the main module; and a rotationtransmission path forming unit that translates the rotational force ofthe drive motor to alternately drive movement of (i) the first mediacartridge transport magazine to move the media cartridge container, and(ii) the first magazine locking mechanism to allow disengagement of thefirst media cartridge transport magazine from the main module.
 10. Themain module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the media cartridgeautoloader includes a second media cartridge transport magazine that isreleasably engaged to the main module, the second media cartridgetransport magazine movably storing the media cartridge; wherein the mainmodule further comprises a second magazine locking mechanism thatinhibits disengagement of the second media cartridge transport magazinefrom the main module.
 11. The main module as claimed in claim 10,wherein the rotation transmission path forming unit translates therotational force of the drive motor to selectively drive movement of (a)the second media cartridge transport magazine, and (b) the secondmagazine locking mechanism to allow disengagement of the second mediacartridge transport magazine from the main module.
 12. The main moduleas claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotation transmission path formingunit includes (i) a drive shaft unit, and (ii) a drive shaft unitshifter that moves the drive shaft unit along an axis; and wherein theextent and direction of movement of the drive shaft unit along the axisdetermines the structure to which the rotational force of the drivemotor is translated.
 13. The main module as claimed in claim 12, whereinthe drive shaft unit includes a first drive gear that selectivelyengages and moves a portion of the first media cartridge transportmagazine, and a second drive gear that and selectively engages and movesa portion of the second media cartridge transport magazine.
 14. The mainmodule as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of the first drivegear and the second drive gear rotates substantially about the axis. 15.The main module as claimed in claim 12, wherein the drive shaft unitshifter moves the drive shaft unit to alternately engage the first mediacartridge transport magazine and the second media cartridge transportmagazine.
 16. The main module as claimed in claim 12, further comprisinga media cartridge picker including a turntable that supports the mediacartridge and a turntable motor that rotates the turntable to change theorientation of the media cartridge.
 17. The main module as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the drive shaft unit shifter is driven with a drivingforce generated by the turntable motor.
 18. The main module as claimedin claim 12, further comprising a media cartridge picker including aturntable that supports the media cartridge, a turntable motor thatrotates the turntable to change the orientation of the media cartridge,and a sensor that detects a rotating angle of the turntable relative toa home position of the turntable.
 19. The main module as claimed inclaim 18, wherein the drive shaft unit shifter is driven with a drivingforce generated by the turntable motor, and a timing to stop movement ofthe drive shaft unit shifter is based at least partially on the rotatingangle detected by the sensor.
 20. The main module as claimed in claim 9,wherein the main module further includes a base having a lower face, andwherein the first magazine locking mechanism is disposed on the lowerface of the base.
 21. The main module as claimed in claim 9, wherein themain module and the first media cartridge transport magazine arearranged to have a first gap therebetween when the first media cartridgetransport magazine and the main module are engaged, the first magazinelocking mechanism extending across the gap, and wherein the firstmagazine locking mechanism disengages the first media cartridgetransport magazine when a plate member is inserted into the first gap tomove the first magazine locking member relative to the first mediacartridge transport magazine.
 22. A method for operating a mediacartridge autoloader having a first media cartridge transport magazinethat selectively stores a media cartridge in a media cartridgecontainer, the method comprising the steps of: generating a rotationalforce with a drive motor; selectively inhibiting disengagement betweenthe first media cartridge transport magazine and the main module with afirst magazine locking mechanism; and selectively moving a rotationtransmission path forming unit so that the drive motor alternatelydrives movement of (i) the first media cartridge transport magazine tomove the media cartridge container, and (ii) the first magazine lockingmechanism to allow disengagement between the first media cartridgetransport magazine and the main module.